Republicans vying for Illinois' U.S. Senate nomination campaign in Hancock County

CARTHAGE, IL — West central Illinois republicans are getting their first look at U.S. Senate candidates two months before the March primary.

Three Illinois Republicans battle in west central Illinois Sunday with eyes on a U.S. Senate seat.

Five candidates hope to become the republican nomination in March for Senator Dick Durbin’s spot.

The top three fund-raising candidates for Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat gathered in Carthage to explain their vision to represent the area on Capitol Hill.

"Let's build that wall wide, deep and long," candidate Peggy Hubbard said.

Immigration was a big topic at the forum sponsored by the Republican Central Committee of Adams, Hancock, Henderson and McDonough counties.

"When the demand goes up, how are you going to control expenditures,” candidate Tom Tarter said.

The candidates discussed many issues including health care and Second Amendment rights.

"In terms of the safety for America and what it takes, that's paramount for me,” candidate Mark Curran said.

Tarter touted his expertise in healthcare.

He worked as a cancer surgeon for several years in Sangamon County.

"There is not a candidate here, and there is not a candidate including Dick Durbin, who is more authoritative and who has more experience on U.S. healthcare policy than me,” Tarter said.

Curran lives in Lake County.

The former prosecutor and sheriff says he has what it takes from his experience in law enforcement.

“I have done a great job and once again talk is cheap," Curran said. "I have proven it. I have shown results. I was under budget 12 years in a row as sheriff. I defended liberty. I transformed an office who had a lot of problems."

Hubbard is a veteran and former police officer from downstate Illinois. She spent several years crunching numbers for the IRS.

"I want to take care of my veterans, I want to take care of my law enforcement," she explained. "I don't want to give free college, because you know what, my grandchildren are dreamers too. They have dreams. So for them to tell me, as an American as a tax payer, as an Illinoisan that I must take care of people not of this country, I say close the door and lock it."

The other two republican candidates not at Sunday’s forum, who are on the March primary ballot include Casey Chlebek and Robert Marshall.

Democratic incumbent Senator Durbin is running unopposed.